The Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has triggered a controversy by hiring employees through recruitment outsourcing under the influence of the CBA (collective bargaining agent) leaders.
It is alleged that the WASA authorities hired many employees through recruitment outsourcing ignoring the directive of former managing director Engineer AKM Shahid Uddin.
Earlier, he (Engineer Shahid) sent a letter to the Ministry of Water Resources, asking for measures to stop such recruitment, but the practice is still continuing.
Leaders of the Employees Workers' Union influence a section of WASA officers to outsource employees, not giving a damn about the directive of the WASA MD.
The Dhaka WASA Nationalist Employees Union 3185, led by President Azizul Alam Khan and Secretary Monir Hossain Patwari, is facing allegations of going by the directive.
In the past 16 years, the influence of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has waned, yet many employees think that the CBA leadership is carrying out illegal activities for personal gain, exploiting the current political situation.
Sources alleged that despite explicit instructions from the BNP high command to refrain from any unethical practices, CBA leaders are involved in illegal recruitment and promotion in exchange of money.
On August 25, the WASA MD called for the cancellation of further recruitment through outsourcing and sought to make the jobs of around 2,500 employees permanent.
However, within days, CBA leaders hired 35 more outsourced employees, including Zakir Hossain Apu, the son of Union’s general secretary Monir Patwari.
It is learnt from WASA sources that the authorities are is being pressured to finalise recruitment of additional manpower. Further investigation carried out the Bangladesh Post revealed that a good many WASA employees have been given promotions in exchange of a hefty amount of money.
CBA leaders are asking employees to pay money if they want to be promoted to Assistant Revenue Officer and Revenue Officer and even from pump driver to revenue inspector.
Additionally, outsourced employees from Narayanganj Water Supply under the Narayanganj City Corporation are being appointed to Dhaka WASA in return for money. Besides who have become jobless without any reason are being pressured to pay for re-employment.
A group of outsourced employees gathered at WASA building On August 25, demanding that their jobs be made permanent. Following negotiations, the WASA authorities issued a letter to the Ministry, accepting the employees' demand.
The CBA is allegedly seeking Tk 300,000 from each of the 2,500 outsourced employees for continuation of their jobs. Workers claim they are given threat that their withheld files will not be sent to the ministry if they refuse to pay.
CBA President Aziz travelled abroad shortly after these allegations surfaced, citing medical treatment for his son. Local sources said that he might be in Thailand and will not return home until October 11. There are serious allegations that a huge amount of money have been syphoned off through the outsourcing recruitment process.
The investigation revealed that Monir Hossain possesses huge assets, including a six-storied house in Mirpur. This correspondent tried to contact Monir Hossain but he could be reached over phone.
When contacted for comment, Aziz threatened this correspondent, citing his political position. He refused to talk about the allegations directly, saying he will discuss the matter upon his return. However, subsequent attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful.
Anwar Hossain, president of the central committee of the Nationalist Labour Party, condemned the abuse of political power in the government offices.
He said that no one should engage in illegal activities using the party’s name and affirmed that any wrongdoings would be dealt with according to party protocols.
WASA officials have remained tight-lipped over the matter.
In a notification released on Wednesday, the Local Government Division named Fazlur Rahman, an additional secretary at the water supply wing, as the acting managing director of WASA. He (Fazlur Rahman) also could not be reached over phone.
As the controversy unfolds, employees and stakeholders await the management's next steps and the future of the ongoing recruitment processes.
